Happy Christmas to you all

Thank you for popping by my blog. The picture above eally represents to me the true meaning of Christmas. Gods gift of a baby, sent to earth for me as my saviour.

May God fill you all with his love this Christmas time.

Putting the Christ into Christmas

I am a huge fan of "google art" (th illustrations that accomany the google search bar) Over the year we have seen some wonderful examples including celebrations of Confcious (if that's how it's spelt), Sesame street, popeye and many other great and not so great celebrations.
If you hover your mouse over the picture it will tell you what it is there to represent. Over the past week, google have introduced a series of card illustrations and I am disgusted to find that when I hover over the image the greeting simply reads "Happy holiday".
Why can christmas not even merrit a mention. Whilst I accept that not everyone chooses to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, surely the basis of the holiday period and celebration is the christian recognition of the birth of Jesus Christ.
I have no problem with the celebration of Diali, Hanuka, Ede or any other religious festival, indeed I am certain that a few weeks ago I saw a hannuka candelarbra on the google art. Why not wish me and any other Christian a happy Christmas.

Salt dough fun

Simply by taking household ingredients, you can have an awful lot of fun. Plain Flour, salt , wall paper paste and water mixed in the following ratio: 1 cup flour, half a cup of salt, half a cup of water, 2 tblsp wallpaper paste. Mix together and then knead for 10 minutes.
Leave to stand for 20 minutes and then mold, roll and shape the dough. "Glue" any bits together with water.


I've created a whole nativity set. You then bake in a low heat oven for as long as it takes for the items to become dry and hollow sounding.

The figures or shapes can then be left in natural state or painted with poster or acrylic paints. You can then apply a varnish and the items will last forever.

The sheep were created by grating the dough and then "glueing" the gratings on to the solid shape.

Three kings all decorated

Two shepherds with their flocks!

a motley looking pair of angels!

Mary and Joseph with an empty manger

(the reason the manger is empty is that the baby I made was simply too big!)

new baby currently cooking!

And here they all are waiting for the baby!

Each of the figures is approx 4" tall.

left overs became this Christmas table topper.

This really is a cheep method of creating some amazing decorations. The whole lot cost well under £1.00.

Nat King Cole - O Holy Night

Music

Anyone who knows me will tell you that music makes my world go around. I have a very eclectic taste in music and will happily listen to most things.

I love the way that every genre of music has made Christmas a celebration. Classical composers have written celebratory pieces, clasical music has been taken by lyracists to write words to giving us some of our most well known carols. Modern pop groups have jazzed up traditional peices and everyone seems to have put their tilt into Christmas. I have adopted my sons spotify account (when he's out of the house) and I have really enjoyed myself simply by putting Christmas followed by Jazz, traditioanl, classical, comtemporary, worship etc into the search box.

For me though, the all time greats of the Christmas genre are: Nat King Cole (he sang to me while I laboured with my daughter, and kept me very calm! and the Celtic women singers.

If I had to choose a favourite piece of Christmas music It would have to be Hark the Herald Angels. The depth of the undertones are delightful. The reason it's not yet appeared on my blog is that I am saving it!!

Another piece I really love is O holy night, which I believe was written for the Morman Tabernackle Choir. It's an amazing song and yes, it'll have to ne good Old Nat who wins the singing contest! Enjoy!

Do share with me your favourite carols ......

In The Bleak Midwinter

One of my favourite carols set to a beautiful celtic arrangement.

What can I give him
poor as I am
If I were a shepherd
i would bring a lamb
If I were a wise man I woud do my part
Yet what I can I give him
give him my heart..

The Nativity Play ~ Joyce Grenfell

Hello, Mrs Binton. I'm so glad you could get along to see a rehearsal of our Nativity Play! Can you squeeze in there? I'm afraid our chairs are a wee bitty wee, as they say north of the border!Now then, children. We are going to start our rehearsal.
Where are my Mary and Joseph?
That's right, Shirleen, take Denis by the hand and come and sit nice and quietly on this bench in the middle.Don't drag him. He'll come if you leave him alone!Don't hit each other, Mary and Joseph were friends
Now, who are my Wise Men?
You're a Wise Man, aren't you, Geoffrey?
Oh, aren't you? What are you then?
Oh, you're a cattle, are you? And you are going to low. Splendid!
Go over to Miss Boulting, will you, please?
Miss Boulting... You are organising the animals and the angels?
He is one of yours.
Now, my Wise Men here, please!
Billy, Peter and George.
And George, Wise Men never do that...
Now my Kings, please.
Of course, Mrs Binton, we know that by tradition the Wise Men and the Kings are one and the same, but we did want everyone in our Nursery School Nativity Play to have a chance, so we have taken a few liberties, and I don't think any one will mind,
Now Kings: Sidney, Neville, Cliff and Nikolas Anoniodes.Four Kings, I'm afraid. We happen to have four lovely crowns, so it seemed a pity not to use them.
Sidney, put your crown on straight please, not over one eye. What have you got under your jersey?
That's not the place for a hamster, is it. Put him straight back in his little pen, please.Sidney, which one have you got, Paddington or Harold Wilson?
Well, who's got Paddington?Neville, put him back at once.Poor Paddington and Harold Wilson, it isn't very Christmassy for them under your jersey.
Sidney, I think it serves you right if Harold Wilson bit you, and don't bite him back.Because he's smaller than you are. Are you bleeding?
Then don't make such a fuss.Cliff, put your crown on, please.
It's too big? Let's see.
Ah, yes it is.
Where are you! Oh, there you are! Nice to see you again! Change with Nikolas.Nikolas, you can manage a big crown, can't you? You've got just the ears for it. I think if you pull your ears down a bit that will hold it up. And lean back a bit. That's it.Stay like that, dear. Don't move.
Wise Men and Kings, don't muddle yourselves with each other.
Now then, Shepherds.Jimmy, you are my First Shepherd and not a racing car. Yes, Caroline, you're a shepherd.No, dear you can't wear your Little Bo-Peep costume because there aren't any little girl shepherdesses in our play. They're all boy shepherds, and you are a girl being a boy shepherd. Yes, it is rotten. But we just have to settle for it. I think if you are very good perhaps you can wear a lovely grey beard; wouldn't that be fun?
George, what do Wise Men never do?
Yes...Jimmy, do you remember what you see up in the sky? Something lovely, isn't it?No, not a baby. Try again. It's a lovely silver star, and you are going to put your hand up and point to it. And what are you going to say when you do that? No, Sidney, he isn't going to say, 'Please may I go to the bathroom?' Children, that isn't funny; it's a perfectly natural function, and we might as well get used to it.
Come on, Jimmy. You are going to say, 'Behold!' aren't you?
Yes, you are, dear. You said it yesterday.You'd rather say it tomorrow?
Perhaps you are right.
We have broken the back of the play, so you may as well get ready to go home. Hand in your crowns gently, please. No Sidney, you can't wear your crown home on the bus.
I think - I HOPE it will be all right on the night.
But you know, Mrs Binton, I think perhaps next year we might make do with a Christmas carol.

. - Mary´s Boy Child - Boney M

Growing up in the 70 and 80's I remeber so well this rendition of the classic song Mary's boy child.
Bet you can't help singing along!

Rewards

Being a mum of a tallented child (be it music or sport etc) you often find that your whole life can be turned upside down and that you need to make sacrifices in your own life to enable your child to fulfill their potential.
Over the years, my sons musical tallents have been recognised and rewarded with membership of orchestras, music schools, music schemes, music holidays and that's on top of the hours practice per night and the numerous lessons and exams you ferry them too. Family holiday dates and duration have been changed to accomodate opportunities.
There are expensive instruments to purchase, insure, service and care for. (and you really won't believe the cost of this!)
I am not the model mum. I do moan, I get fed up carting him around, booking apppointments aound him and even missing events to support him.
But then there are the moments that make it all worth while. Yesterday afternoon was ne of them.
I attended the city Hall in Hull with a family contingent and sat up on the Balcony (nearly the best seats in the place) and watched my son perform in the East Riding Youth orchestra. The musical tallent on display was amazing. The senior wind band were also there. We heard renditions of Pirates of the Caribean, arnival of the animals, masked men tunes, Traditonal and modern carols and then the highlight... the performance of "The Snowman". The hall went dark, mist decended onto the stage and amid the glorious music and light, arrived a stunning young girl dressed in the most beautiful delicate pink gown. Eleanor Tomlinson ~ Local girl turned Hollywood actress. She told the story beautifully. At one stage, the glitter ball began to spin and glistening snowflakes span around the room swirling and creating the most magical atmosphere.
I don't have any shame in admitting that I sat and cried.
Tonight is almost coming full circle. The first ensemble my son joined was the string training orchestra and tonight they are in a concert where my son is part of the Youth Singers. He's been asked to take his violin to play support in their orchestra.
Thursday is the school concert and then on Friday we have my daughters school concert with everone of the parents and every child packed tightyly into the sports centre.
I'm so privaleged to have tallented children and it really is worth the sacrifice!!

The Snowman Part 3

watch from the bottom post upwards! and enjoy this classic animation of Raymond Briggs iconic work.

The Snowman Part 2

The Snowman part 1

My wreath

Inspired by Channel 4's wonderful programme "Kirsties homemade Christmas", I ventured in to the garden to see what I could use to create a wreath. My sparse gardern was awash with salad and vegetables in the summer, but the winter has left it empty.
I already had a small poundshop wicker ring that was looking considderably worse for wear.
Then I noticed the dead heads of my hydranga bush and a few snips and I had a pile of bushy heads. after tying them into place around the ring and adding some silk roses and a few sad looking christmas silk sprigs, I had a wreath to be very proud of. It's a beautiul golden colour amd I think I can safely say, no one else will have one like it!!

Thorns in the Straw

I have always felt this was a very special song. The lyrics, written by Graham Kendrick show the depth of emotion that Mary must have gone through.
Thorns in the straw is such a beautiful song full of scriptural refererences.
Take the time to listen...

Breath of Heaven Amy Grant.mp4

Beautiful words that express the inner turmoil that mary must have gone through to be told as a young unmarried girl that she was chosen to carry Gods son.
Amy Grants version is my favourite. I love thetenderness she sings with.

A story for Christmas ~ Good News, Bad news!

"Good News" said the angel to Mary, "you're going to have a baby".

"Good news" said the Angel to Joseph, "Mary is going to be a mum"

"Bad news" said Joseph, "we have to travel all the way to Bethlehem to be counted"

"Good news" said Mary "We have a lovely donkey and I can ride on him"

"Bad news" said Mary and Joseph, "this journey is long and cold"

"Bad news" said an inkeeper, "we've no room"

"Bad news" said another, and another.

"Bad news" said the inkeeper, "we have no room"

"Good news" said the inkeepers wife, "we have a stable out the back, you can stay there"

"Good news" said Joseph as he led the donkey and Mary round to the stable.

"Good news" said Mary, it's warm in here.

"Bad news" said Joseph, "I think I stepped in something."

"Good news" said Mary, "My baby has been born and he is called Jesus".

"Good news" said the inkeepers wife, it's so exciting to see the baby"

"Good news" said the Angels to the shepherds "A baby has been born in Bethlehem"

"Good news" said the shepherds, "lets go and see the baby"

"Bad news" said the sheep left behind on the hillside all alone!

"Good news" said the shepherds as they gazed at the baby.

"Good news" said the wise men "look at the star"

"Bad news" said King Herrod when the wise men told him why they'd come.

"Good news" said the wise men as they knelt before the baby and gave him their gifts.

"Good news for everyone!"

The Grinch Where are you Christmas

Sung by Faith Hill, the words to this song from the film version of "The Grinch" are accompanied by stills from the film which incidently is as beautiful and magical as the book!

The Grinch ~ Dr Seuss

One of the most marvoulous Christmas' I remember was one year when my boys were little. I went to the library with them and picked out a book called How the grinch stole Christmas.
I have to confess that up to the moment I read the book Dr Seuss and I had never got on and yet as I sat on the bed with a boy either side and began to read, magic emerged from the pages.

For those who do not know the story, It's written in the iconic ryming style of Dr S. It tells the story of a happy town of Who's who are busying themselves getting ready for Christmas. up on the top of the mountain that towers above the town lived a grinch... not a particually nice fella. Kind of messy and with an attitude that puts Ebeneezer Scrooge to shame.
The grinch you see had no happiness in his life and couldn't stand the thought that anyone else could be happy.

The night before Christmas he sneaked down the mountainside and went into every who house taking their turkeys, treees and presents. With his sleigh fully laden he climbed the mountain and chucked the whole lot down the other side. Then thinking his dasterdly plan had gone well, he climbed into bed.

But what was that noise coming up the hill? The grinch woke up and listened.......

"But this... this sound wasn't sad. Why... this sound sounded glad. Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, was singing, without any presents at all! He hadn't stopped Christmas from coming, it came! Somehow or other, it came just the same. "

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?"

Gloria ~ Michael W Smith

No Christmas is complete with out Michael W Smiths amazing piece Gloria .... Enjoy while watching this eclectic collection of thought provoking images!

What Christmas means to me ~ Sudslaw

"For me, Christmas is the one time of year when families come together, differences are forgotten, and people on the periphery of our hectic lives are remembered with a thought, a card or a call. "

Sudslaw is a soap company based in the Peak district. Specialising in organic products, they create soaps, bath and skin products.
You can see their beautiful products including a festive range of soaps here

sadly their images are all protected so I am unable to show you!

There's No Place Like Home - The Carpenters

What Christmas means to me ~ Jane

In the run up to Christmas I have been asking some of my internet friends what Christmas means to them ... over the posts in the run up to Christmas I'll be sharing their responses with you.

Starting the ball rolling is Jane (Greannancrafts) ...

"Looking around the Christmas table, and feeling sad about all the people who are no longer there - my Father, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles - but rejoicing in the people who have taken their places, sons, daughter in laws and Grandchildren.Christmas is for families"

Rose Geranium luxury hamper gift pack

Jane is a soap and cosmetic product creator. You can find lots more leautiful gift baskets, soaps, lotions and balms at her online shop www.just-soaps.com

Last day of November

Wow, that has gone sooooooooo fast. I can't believe that we are in the final countdown to Christmas and that december starts tomorrow. Yes, I have been very lax in my blog posting, but hope to make up for that during the run up to Christmas.
Personally I really love the preparation and decoration so I look forwardto sharing lots of Christmassy thoughts and creations with you obver the next few weeks.

For they shall grow not weary

We Shall Remember Them -

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Oxford Suite, Ed Alleyne-Johnson

The sweet and haunting music of Ed Alleyne-Johnson. Probably the uk's most famous busker who busks in Coventry, Leeds and York with his electric 5 string violin.
One day I will be luck enough to see him in person!

New Jewellery

Blue memory wire choker with lucite leaves
Autumn toned memory wire choker with glass beaded dangles

Memory wire choker with green glass dangles

Long chain necklace with end clusters in red and black.

All these new creations are for sale at www.littlebigshop.com

or email me at mail (at) crystalvelvet.co.uk

The little big shop!!

Wednesday 5th November sees the opening of a new online shopping community The little big shop , the aim of which is to personalise online shopping. There are lots of stalls, both handmade and gifts and they sell a variety of products from educational fun to pure indulbence. I am pleased to announce that I have joined and opened a store there, Crystal Velvet.

The items shown on this post along with lots of other funky modern jewellery are there. Why not pop by and have a look.

To Sellers: This is a fantastic easy to use and extremely friendly selling method and they are currently looking for people to sign up! tell them I sent you!

Nativity Bracelet

This nativity bracelet makes a treasures heirloom gift for either a child or an adult. Initially the bracelet is just pretty, it's created with Swarovski crystals, Bali silver charms and beads, but alond with the bracelet, you'll receive a poem written by Karen Clark and the key to unlocking the christmas story.
The bracelet's are available from www.crystalvelvet.co.uk

Graham Kendrick The Servant King

Scars that speak of sacrifce...

Glad to be back

For the past couple of days I've had a virus! Not me myself, but that extension of me .... my computer!
Anyway, it's now fixed up and mended and I am back to normal.
I wanted to share a story with you on Saturday (Halloween) but the virus wouldn't let me on.
So better late than never I'll begin...
I grew up in the same village I now live in as an adult. it's fairly big nowadays, but was much smaller then. When I was 14 something happened in the village that shook the whole community. A small 5 year old boy was out trick or treating with his mum and his sister. He was really enjoying himself and was dressed as a ghost with a sheet over his head. As the family walked to the next house, the boy tripped and the pumpkin lantern tangled in the sheet and then the most aweful, dreadful thing happened, the sheet caught light.
Seeing a sudden flash of light, a man and his young son looked out of the window. Then with no thought whatso ever for their own safetly they ran out and smothered the flames.
The little boy was very badly burned, he was taken to Pinderfields burns unit. He was very very ill and he fought hard for the next few weeks. My little sister was in his class at school, their teacher visited him often and it was evident that this was a very draining experience on everyone.
Sadly the little boy died. His body was too ravaged to survive.
The man who put out the flames bears scarred hands to this day. He often hands out communion and those scars on his hands are terribly poignant.
Sad as this story is, there is a light, something wonderful that came from this event.
members of the local church joined forces with the local primary school and began to run a "megastar" event. The event is marketed as an alternative to halloween. there is always a theme, the children get to dress up (though not in halloween costume) and have a wonderful time.
It does worry me with the amount of store space being taken up in super markets. Everything is aimed at celebrating something so dark. It's rivaling Easter and Christmas and although the buy, buy, buy is clearly not the ideal, it looks as though marketing forces are currently winning!

Tonight is the night ....

The clocks go back

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) ~ Chris Tomlin

I love this updated version of John Newton great hymn.
Newton was a ship's captain on a slave trading ship. One night a huge storm blew up. As Newton left the ships deck, a huge wave swept overboard the sailor who had taken his place.
This was the starting point to Newton's faith.
After this turning point in his life he insisted that his crew's prayed and that all those in his care were treated humanely although it was another forty years before he openly challanged the slave trade.
I love Chris Tomlins gentle additions that speak so beautifully :
My Chains are gone
I've been set free,
my God my savoiur
has ransommed me
And like a flood, his mercy reigns
unending love
amazing grace

The earth shall soon disolve like snow
the sun forbear to shine
but God who called me here below
Will be forever mine

Nitty Gritty

On Tuesday I discovered what might be Britain's best kept secret ... The Nitty Gritty Comb!
Why did no one tell me about it? Why is it such a secret, i just want to shout about it from the roof tops! (can you tell I'm a fan!!)

Head lice and nits (the eggs) are something that every mum will come across if their child goes to school. When you first see your child scratch, a shudder of dread goes through you as you realise he tears and time consuming hair combing that is ahead of you. There is always the lotions and potions approach, but the chemicals contained in them are nasty, poisonous and dangerous, as one person put it "you wouldn't put them on your daffodils!". I have wasted pound after pound looking for the "perfect irradicator" I've tried electronic zappers, plastic combs and metal combs all to no avail. You think they are all out and then discover several days later that they are still lurking or that a stray egg has hatched out. And to make it even worse all the nits are left in the hair leaving a shameful tell tale sign that your child has had them.

On tuesday I went into Sainsbury's and my life changed. I was actually there to buy a thermometer and right next to the thermometer I saw it .... The "Rolls Royce of nit combs". At fist the £10 price tag took me back, but inquistive, I picked up te product to look. It all made sense, longer closer together teath with guidance spirals. What an ingenious product!
£10 lighter, I couldn't wait for my daughter to arrive home from school.
"Look what I've got", I called as she entered the door. I think that she was a little dissapointed, but even she was amazed by it's performance. I love my Nitty gritty comb!

The fact that the comb has a life time guarantee makes it even better and your doctor can even prescribe one for you on perscription (details on the website)

Don't believe me? Have a look for yourself. http://www.nittygritty.co.uk/site/home.asp it could be the best £10 you ever spend!

A Mother's Prayer - Rachel Aldous

Roots and Wings ~ gifts for your children

From the moment you hold your tiny newborn baby in your arms, as you gaze in wonder at the perfectly formed minature finger nails and little finger prints, as you stroke it's little body and kiss it's little head, the realision dawns upon you. This is my little baby. Mine to nurture, to encourage, to feed and clothe. This is my baby.
What a task lies ahead of you. It won't always be easy, they'll be times you feel like climbing the wall with frustration, times when you'll be angry, times you'll be sad, but many many moments that makes everthing worthwhile. The little pictures that will build up happy memories in your heart, all the firsts, tooth, smile, step and all too soon exam and driving test, boy/ girlfriend.
Through it all you'll ask yourself whether you are up to the task and whether you'll do the right thing?
In short it comes down to only two things Roots and Wings. Roots: the smiles, encouragement, values, independant life skills, guidance and love that you bestow upon your child as it grows. and Wings: knowing when and how to allow your fledgling child to emerge from the nest and stretch it's wings in the sunshine of the big wide world, knowing that they may flap about a bit ungracefully at first, but that they have the strength to fly when they are ready.

It's my sons 18th birthday on monday. He can fly!

Indescribable ~ Chris Tomlin

This video and song were the inspiraion behind the name of my blog.
How can we fail to be uninspired by the wonderful and amazing creations of our amazing God.

Pandora style bracelet GIVEAWAY!!

To celebrate our new range of pandora style bracelet bases and beads at Crystal Velvet I am going togive away a starter bracelet with three beads, two dangles and two clips.
For those of you who don't know yet what a pandora style bracelet is, it's a new funky version of the traditional charm bracelets where you attached silver or gold charms to a link bracelet. Charms are traditionally bought to mark important events such as a wedding, the birth of a child or a first communion , eighteenth birthday etc.
With a Pandora style bracelet, you can add silver cored lampwork beads and dangle charms. The great thing is that you can use as few or as many beads as you want. You simply remove them if you don't want them all on.

Base Bracelet

crystal fascetted beads

Lampwork silver cored beads with a dangle charm

To be in with a chance of winning simply leave a comment below or on my blog

Crystal Velvet Weddings

or even on both!

The draw will be made at random on 31st October 2009 at noon.

Special offer on Alice band tiara's

Until the end of October all of the band style tiaras created by Crystal Velvet will be sold to blog readers at a reduced rate.
They can be created in single, double or triple row Swarovski crystal, in any colour that you want with or without reshwater pearl accents.

Triple row are usually £28.00 and blog readers can purchase them for £23.00.
Double row are usually £22.00 and blog readers can purchase them for £18.00
Single row are usually £16.00 and blog readers can purchase them for £13.00
Postage is £2.00 per order(however many there are)

Simply email your requirements to mail(at)crystalvelvet.co.uk or telephone 01430 421477.

This style tiara can be worn as an alice band and make great gifts!
Examples of other tiara bands can be seen here

Church and school unite ~ Hunsley Youth Trust

Recently All Saint Church in South Cave has joined forces with other churches in the catchment area for South Hunsley School in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Together they have agreed to fund a Christian youth worker to work half the time with the churches and the other half within the school.

The Youth worker is Mark Tiddy and he's looking forward to the challenges before him.

South Cave church has been very blessed with it's youth work up to now and has great provisions and groups for up to 18's. Our Young people have been the force behind the Christian union within the South Hunsley. It's great that they now have a formal youth worker to support their work.

it is still early days and the Hunsley Youth Trustweb site has only just gone live (expect more in the next few weeks) http://hcyt.co.uk/.

Please keep them in your paryers as they begin their work.

Come, Now is the Time to Worship

Now is the time to worship.

Come just as you are!

Chokers

I've recently been having fun creating these choker style necklaces. They are really easy and comfortable to wear and because there are no catches involved (the choker finds your natural

size) I love they way the accent colours can be matched to your outfit.

Sing Your Praise ~ Amy Grant

I love the orchestral intro to this classsic Amy Grant song

Hat pins

If you are looking for the perfect finishing touch for your outfit, then these hatpins could be just the thing you need.
They are created to order in colours to match your outfit on either silver or gold pins.
available through
www.crystalvelvet.co.uk

Before the Throne of God Above ~ Jill Southeren sung by Selah

A beutiful celtic version of this wonderful song of hope.

Everlasting God ~ Chris Tomlin

Our hope, our strong deliverer

Flowers

Having been asked by a client to create her wedding flowers, I gratefully and enthusiastically took up the challenge.
It's a craft I've had very little to do with before, but using existing craft skills and a little trial and eroor I creted bouquets and buttonholes for the whole wedding party and expanded my wedding range even further. You can see more of the flowers on my blog crystal velvet weddings or on my website Crystal Velvet

Just letting you know!

Freshwater pearl Bracelet

I have a blog giveaway on my blog Crystal Velvet Weddings. simply leave a comment below the post along with your wrist size to be entered into the draw which will be picked at Random next wednesday at 12 noon BST.

God Speaking ~ Mandisa

Beautiful music with deep thoughts to get me back into the blogging.

I've missed you all!

Selling Crafts by Sale or Return.

"Erica" available through www.beadsbydesign.co.uk (can be created in any colour)

I have been selling goods by Sale or return for sometime now and I thought I would dedicate this post to the "how to's"

It is important that the thought of "selling your items" does not shove common sense out of the door.
By following the points listed you should experience a happy and fruitful relationship with the gallery / shop.

Sale or return is where you supply goods to a gallery / shop and no cash is handed over to you in exchange. The goods are displayed and cared for by the shop and then in the event of any sales being made, the shop pays you a percentage of the sale.
When you hand over your goods, it is important that you put together a simple contract. The language must be basic and state the following:
An inventory of stock: List all items clearly.
Pricing: You must list the price you want from the item and then the mark up that the shop can make
Discounts: If the shop decides to include the goods in a sale promotion, that the cut should be from the shop's cut.
Payment: When you can expect payment for sales and how you will receive that payment.
Damage or loss: If damage or loss of item occurs whilst in the shop's care, then the shop will pay you your cut of the price.
Transporting goods to the gallery If you are delivering or posting the stock to the shop, who is responsible for postage costs (I normally state that if I am sending I pay the costs and if they are sending then they pay the costs)
Promotion If your goods are to be displayed in the shop, it is no good having them in a weak site eg. stuffed in corner and not displayed to their potential. You should state that they be displayed with good lighting, visiblity etc.
Copyright : ensure your goods cannot be copied whilst they are in the care of the gallery… no photo’s without your agreement
Statement of Ownership: so that the gallery cannot claim them as assets should they run into financial difficulties. This is incredibly important. If the shop goes under in the credit crunch then you need to be able to prove that the items are not part of the shops collateral.

By observing these simple steps you should have a problem free relationship with the shop.

Remember that when approaching the shop, you should be confident and know prices etc. Always dress in a business like way and be positive.

Updates

Recently I have been a bad blogger. I have not updated nearly as much as would ideally like to. Anyway there has been a lot going on and I'll tell you some bits and bobs...

On one of my other blogs www.crystalvelvetweddings.blogspot.com I have a give away that is ending this lunch time. You simply leave a comment on the post and choose from these four bracelets... Open to Us and Uk readers.

I have also been updating my shop www.crystalvelvet.co.uk and have changed it's direction slightly to be more of a wedding and occasion site. I've been asked by a bride to create all their wedding stationary and have had lots of fun designing. This is a new venture for me, but one I shall embrace.
I have also been able to offer lots of advice regarding the service itself and have been privaledged to choose the music. You really can't imagine how much of a thrill this has been.

Finally, I have been out in the garden. Earlirt this year we dug a huge strip out of the front and have now planted loads of seeds etc. It's been great fun. few more weeks and we should be enjoying our organic crops.

So there you go, that's where I have been....